The governor and newly-minted vice-presidential nominee has embraced the bard of the working man, honoring the New Jersey rocker last year when he came to St. Paul for a concert.
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Bruce Springsteen performing on tour last year. “Springsteen’s music is a source of inspiration for many people in Minnesota,” read the proclamation signed by Tim Walz.
Last year, a blue state governor signed a proclamation declaring March 5 Bruce Springsteen Day.
The state was not New Jersey.
Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, an enthusiastic fan of The Boss who became Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate on Tuesday, marked the rocker’s concert in St. Paul last year with effusive praise and a day of honor.
“Springsteen’s music is a source of inspiration for many people in Minnesota, reminding us of the values we hold dear, including kindness, compassion and fairness,” the proclamation signed by Mr. Walz said.
With Mr. Walz expected to lean on his working class appeal as part of the Democratic presidential ticket, it is fitting how strongly he has embraced the bard of the working man.
Though Mr. Springsteen’s music carries wide appeal across the political spectrum (there are few bigger fans than Chris Christie, the Republican former governor of New Jersey), The Boss has long provided a boost to Democrats on the campaign trail, supporting every Democratic nominee since John Kerry. He forged a deep friendship with former President Barack Obama and narrated an ad for President Biden.
Former President Donald J. Trump, the Republican nominee and a New York native, has taken to mocking some of Mr. Springsteen’s appearances on behalf of Democrats. Campaigning in Atlanta, Ga., on Saturday, Mr. Trump recalled that Mr. Springsteen appeared at a rally for Hillary Clinton in 2016.
“I’m not a huge fan,” he said of Mr. Springsteen. “I have a bad trait. I only like people that like me.”
Mr. Springsteen made his views about Mr. Trump known early on, calling Mr. Trump a “moron” in an interview with Rolling Stone in 2016.
Mr. Walz, in at least one regard, is like so many of Mr. Springsteen’s legions of fans: Namely, in having experienced the difficulty in securing a ticket.
“Anyone manage to get an extra Bruce Springsteen ticket today? Asking for a friend,” Mr. Walz posted to Twitter on a day that Springsteen tour tickets went on sale in 2022.
But it would appear that Mr. Walz had no trouble attending the show, as he was seen sporting a Springsteen concert tee from the most recent tour at the Minnesota State Fair last summer.
Neil Vigdor contributed reporting.
Nick Corasaniti is a Times reporter covering national politics, with a focus on voting and elections. More about Nick Corasaniti
See more on: Bruce Springsteen, 2024 Elections
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Source: nytimes.com
